A suite wedding

In 2009, Gerard Liu surprised his long-time love Edylyn Gamboa with a proposal in front of both their families during a dinner at the Bucca di Beppo restaurant in San Francisco.

Taking their masters at the University of San Francisco, the couple was based in the City by the Bay for 10 years before coming back to Manila to start their individual businesses with the healthy Coco Natura Sugar and Fog City Creamery, an artisan ice cream. The engagement was a commitment that both sets of parents heartily agreed on and on Nov. 18, their love was sealed at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park.  Reception followed at the Rockwell Tent, which was transformed into a winter wonderland. The party started with the newlyweds’ dance routine and culminated with a dragon parade that would bring luck to everyone that evening.  

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ArtPostAsia’s “Open Book” display at Celestina in Greenbelt 5 was a well-attended affair that featured their collection of books on Asian art, heritage, architecture and lifestyle.  This niche publishing company based out of Singapore and Manila was founded by my good friend Tina Colayco. The opening cocktails had guests mingling with authors, editors, photographers, artists as well as creative and executive directors behind the publications. 

 “Open Book” highlights three distinct special live settings from pages of ArtPost Asia’s most popular books and should make us proud in the international literary world. These are Foodlore and Flavors: Inside the Southeast Asian Kitchen (prize winner of a World Gourmand Award 2007, Best Asian Cookbook category at the London Bookfair); An Invitation to Malacañan (Best Country Book, World Gourmand Awards 2011 and a nominee for the Best Entertainment Book in the World); and Kapihan: A Celebration of Coffee in the Philippines. The special arrangements from the three publications were put together by Bettina Araneta-Aboitiz, Dulce Gibb, Maja Co and Claude Tayag. 

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The Cultural Center of the Philippines’ lobby was turned into a Christmas village for the season ender of Philippine Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker Suite.  It was a feast for the senses with holiday decorations in every corner of the lobby and food booths that pleased every palate. What a joyful way of entering the Christmas season with one’s family in tow.

The PBT dancers were flawless in their execution of pirouettes and lifts. Special effects both onstage and over the audience had the kids ooohing and aaahing and they especially enjoyed the mice running all over the orchestra area that even had grownups giggling with their children.   The best part is PBT still has two more shows at the Meralco Theater on Dec. 14 to 15 at 7 p.m.

This is the best time to spread Christmas cheer with family members and take a break from the holiday hassles and stresses.

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For comments and suggestions, e-mail  jacinto.fa@gmail.com